The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) constantly evolves to meet current energy efficiency needs. Over the years new requirements have been added to the IECC to make it stricter and increase overall energy efficiency of buildings. Some states are resistant to these changes, and some choose not to adopt an IECC at all. In fact, of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 10 either haven’t adopted an IECC, or are operating under a code older than the 2006 IECC, according to the…

I've been thinking about the topic of multifamily blower door tests for a while, and I want to get your opinion. This is an article that I wanted to publish in Home Energy Magazine but I thought it would be better to get up sooner. It's about energy code language regarding blower door testing. When I was at Steven Winter Associates, the NY State Codes Council asked for advice about blower door testing language, so that's where this originates. I hope you…

Have you ever learnt anything from Home Alone, aside from how to have a great weekend for the family, it's that furnaces are alarming. Yet, what's much scarier than the storm cellar staying, red hot mammoth itself is the outcomes of not staying aware of filter cleaning and evacuation.

A clean filter extends the furnace's life, upgrades the general execution, enhances the…

When it comes to keeping your HVAC system maintained, nothing is more important or easier than making sure your filters get changed out every month or two. Dirty, neglected filters have real affects on your AC system that end up costing you more in repairs and early replacement down the road than if they were changed regularly.

When the air filter gets dirty it becomes restrictive to airflow passing through it, so your…

Chad Laibly gave me a heads up about this and I thought I'd pass it on. He says,

There's an awesome mastermind training coming up that I thought you should know about- I went through it last year, and got a lot out of it. In case you don't know him, Corbett Lunsford is a really fresh and innovative voice for the home performance industry, and I personally really value the training he creates. Plus, he's a super nice guy who actually answers his own phone if you…

Residents of California are feeling firsthand what life is like with a limited water supply as they face the current drought. But the resource crisis extends far beyond one state: according to water.org, a child dies every minute due to a water-related disease and a staggering 750 million people (or the equivalent of two and a half times the U.S. population) lack access to clean water. It’s no wonder that plumbing-fixture manufacturers are continuing to research how to make products that…

Kids keep pennies safe in piggy banks. Milk cartons and kumquats chill in the fridge. The library catalogs all my most favorite (and least favorite) books... We all know that when you have something of value and you want to save it for later, you’ll need to…

The Habitat X Summer National Conference provides a collaborative meeting place for leaders from the energy efficiency, building performance, and utility industries. Each year we work in a open public process to develop a position statement that addresses…

Numerous individuals are befuddled about the short frame MERV. To put it plainly, MERV ratings announce the proficiency of an air filters capacity to evacuate particles (toxins) from the air. This short guide goes in confined into what MERV is and what diverse MERV evaluations really mean for you and your crew.

The riddle is: "How many sides does a door have?" The answer is 6, While the vertical edges may be painted, the top and bottoms may not be sealed, which is different from just painting. Most door manufacturers will not honor a warranty if this is neglected. The styles may transmit water vapor along the entire height of the door through end grain, and some side expansion of the rails may occur.

As the world becomes increasingly industrialized it is important for companies to band together to help keep the environment as healthy as can be. Greenhouse gases, harmful chemicals, and environmental carelessness are posing as a threat to the well-being of our planet. Thankfully going green is becoming much…

Have you heard about the new NATE Certified RESNET HERS Rater HVAC Performance Verifier Certification? Get it now for only $399 - no hidden fees, no extra charges. Join our 1-day pre-conference workshop in Wilmington, NC and earn the new certification!

After joining the North Carolina Building Performance Association (NCBPA), we were invited to offer two full-day workshops in advance of the 2015 NCBPA Conference in Wilmington, NC.

As winters knock on the doors, the use of boilers is stretched to its extreme limit, ensuring proper warmth in the house. Thus, it is imperative that the boiler is repaired and maintained on a regular basis. This will ensure that when the winter season is at its peak, the boiler works in the perfect condition and there is no breaking down instances. This will help the residents of a house to be prepared to face harsh winters. Moreover, proper maintenance will ensure appropriate fuel bills.…

As going green is becoming increasingly popular, there is a sea of energy efficient opportunities an individual can take to save energy while bettering the environment. One of the greatest opportunities in going green is its ability to save you an enormous amount of money…

During the sales process, it is inevitable warranty periods will be raised. I remember raving about how the latest and greatest HVAC product led the industry with the longest warranty period. Very often this only lasted a short period of time as other Manufacturer’s would continue to match warranties with their line. Things often got out of hand as warranties have reached ‘limited lifetime’ on parts like compressors or heat…